SPADY MUSEUM EXPLORES THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BLACK COMMUNITIES AND THE WATER THAT SUSTAINS THEM
By Spady Cultural Heritage Museum — Water Works: Distillations Explores the Cultural Power of Water
Delray Beach, FL – February 24, 2025 – The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum’s newest exhibit, Water Works: Distillations, opened on February 21, 2025. The launch capped off Black History Month with a celebration of history, memory, and connection. Curated by Allison Bolah and featuring original artwork by Franklyn Sinanan, the exhibit highlights how Black communities relate to water in both everyday life and cultural traditions.
A Multisensory Exhibit Experience
The exhibit is on view through September 21, 2025, at the Spady Museum’s main galleries, located at 170 NW 5th Avenue in Delray Beach. Guests will experience a variety of media, including sun-bleached shells, layered mixed-media scenes, and recorded oral histories. Postcards from the museum’s Bahamian archives also offer visual insight into the past.
At the opening, Bolah explained how the different elements of the exhibit are tied together. “The idea is to look at the African diaspora and how water connects its descendants,” she said. “Not just in practical ways, but emotionally and spiritually as well.”
Stories That Bridge Generations
The exhibit includes personal stories that reveal how people relate to water. For example, one story shares how a woman learned to swim from her aunt. Another reflects on a childhood memory spent in Lake Ontario. Together, these stories show that water is more than a resource—it’s part of our identity.
Allison Bolah is a community-based artist and educator. Her work blends studio practice with research, outreach, and education. She has led group shows, presented at academic conferences, and created book arts projects. One of her most well-known works is Tell Me About Your Mother, which received support from the Minnesota State Arts Board. Bolah holds an MFA in Visual Studies from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.
According to Bolah, the exhibit will grow throughout the year. “We’ll continue adding voices and items from local residents who share their memories of water,” she said.
Art That Brings Water to Life
Artist Franklyn Sinanan brings the subject to life through 3D mixed-media portraits. His work shows figures engaging with oceans, lakes, and marine animals. The result is both vibrant and immersive. To explore more of his work, visit www.franklinsinanan.com.
“We rely on water every day—for cooking, cleaning, energy, and even rest,” Sinanan said. “We also use it for major life moments like ceremonies and celebrations. Water connects us in more ways than we realize.”
About the Spady Museum
Founded in 2001, the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum was created by EXPANDING AND PRESERVING OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE, INC., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Located in the historic home of Solomon D. Spady, the museum shares the rich Black history of Delray Beach. Offerings include exhibitions, tours, youth programs, and archival collections.
The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are available for other times. Visit www.spadymuseum.com, call (561) 279-8883, or email info@spadymuseum.org.
Media contact: Michelle Brown, Kaliah Communications, Inc., 561-308-3382, kaliahpr@gmail.com
Event photos: https://masterwingcreativeagency.pixieset.com/spadymuseum/waterworksdistillationsopeningreception/
Photo Credit: MasterWing Creative Agency, 2025
–
MEDIA CONTACT: Michelle Brown, Kaliah Communications, Inc.; 561-308-3382, kaliahpr@gmail.com
PHOTO ALBUM – https://masterwingcreativeagency.pixieset.com/spadymuseum/waterworksdistillationsopeningreception/
Photo Credit: MasterWing Creative Agency, 2025